Device built in a bottle mouth for hanging a spoon

ABSTRACT

A device built in the mouth of a bottle for hanging a spoon relates to the field of packaging materials. The device includes a barrel used to contain materials. The inner wall of the bottle mouth of the barrel is provided with a ring-shaped groove, which is used to set a hanging mechanism and the hanging mechanism includes a snap ring with an adjustable inner diameter. The snap ring is clamped with the groove. A hook for hanging a spoon is provided in the side spaced from the inner wall of the bottle mouth. In this invention, the spoon is installed in the mouth of the bottle, and it can be found after opening the barrel. For this invention, it solves the problem that there is no a fixed place for a spoon, and it also solves the problem that the spoon easily becomes buried in the powder, and a person needs to look for the spoon repeatedly. Hence, it decreases the contamination possibility of a product.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the technical field of packaging materials. In particular, the invention relates to a device built in the mouth of a bottle for hanging a spoon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Existing big buckets or bottles for protein powder, or other types of big buckets for powder, are often equipped with a quantitative spoon, such as an 80 cm³ spoon. They commonly have the following problems:

1. In the filling factory, a spoon is often thrown into the barrel after filling the powder and sealing the product, and then the product follows the logistics and is sent to the consumer. However, the spoon sinks in the powder during the transportation process, and it becomes very difficult for the consumer to find the spoon for use.

2. Once the spoon is used, the spoon can only be thrown directly in the bucket, since there is no fixed clamping position or placement point in the bucket. It may, therefore, take the consumer time to look for the spoon when the spoon needs to be used next time.

3. For food powders stored in big buckets, the consumer must touch the spoon with his or her hands each time the spoon is used. If the spoon needs to be retrieved from the powder each time, secondary pollution to the powder inside the big bucket is created.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a device for hanging a spoon, wherein the device is built into the mouth of the bottle. This solves the problem that the spoon has no fixed placement point. This also solves the problems associated with the spoon being easily buried in the powder and the consumer needing to repeatedly search for the spoon each time the product is used.

The present invention offers specific solutions by providing a device for hanging a spoon built into the mouth of a bottle, used in conjunction with a material containing barrel. The device comprises a hanging mechanism. The inner wall of the mouth of the barrel is provided with a ring-shaped groove, the hanging mechanism is positioned within the groove, and the hanging mechanism comprises a snap ring with an adjustable inner diameter. The snap ring is clamped within the groove, and the side of the snap ring positioned away from the inner wall of the bottle mouth is provided with a hook for hanging the spoon.

Further, the snap ring is provided with an elastic adjusting opening.

Further, one end of the snap ring is provided with a plurality of snap grooves along the length direction, and the other end thereof is provided with a snap projection matched for engagement with one of the plurality of snap grooves. When the snap projection is inserted into one of the snap grooves, the snap ring is connected end to end to form a closed ring.

Further, each of the snap grooves is in the shape of a round hole, and the plurality of snap grooves are in communication with each other.

Further, the two ends of the snap ring are of a thin-walled structure. As such, when the snap projection is embedded into the snap groove, both ends of the snap ring are arranged such that they fit together to form a closed ring.

Further, wherein the lower edge of the groove extends in a direction close to the middle of the barrel and is used for limiting the position of the snap ring.

Further, the spoon is provided with a through hole.

Compared with the prior art, the present invention achieves the following beneficial effects. The present invention changes the structure of the bottle mouth, that is, the bottle mouth is provided with a groove, and the lower edge of the groove extends in a direction close to the middle of the barrel, so that the snap ring can be clamped into the groove. The snap ring opens elastically to fit snuggly within the groove formed in the bottle mouth. The inner diameter of the snap ring can be adjusted according to the size of the groove. The groove can support and limit the snap ring to prevent it from leaving or detaching from the groove. There is a hook on the snap ring. In addition, the handle of the spoon is provided with a through hole allowing the spoon to hang from a hook formed on the snap ring. The through hole can be hung on the hook of the snap ring, such that the spoon will not easily fall therefrom. As such, the present invention solves the problem that the spoon has no fixed placement point and does not affect the use of the entire product. At the same time, the present invention solves the problem of the spoon becoming buried in the powder and obviates problems associated with the consumer repeatedly needing to search for the spoon. Hence, the present invention reduces or avoids secondary pollution to the product to some extent.

At the same time, the snap ring is provided with a plurality of snap grooves and a snap projection that matches one of the snap grooves for mating engagement of the snap groove and snap projection at the ends of the snap ring. The snap projection is embedded in the snap groove so that the snap ring is connected end to end to define a ring shape. As a result, the snap ring can be placed in the groove more easily, and the snap ring is prevented from breaking. The diameter of the snap ring can be changed when the snap projection is inserted into different snap grooves, so that the snap ring can be matched with different types of barrels, and the applicability of the device can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of the barrel of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a device built in the mouth of the bottle for hanging a spoon according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the barrel shown in FIG. 1 with the cap removed;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the snap ring and the spoon in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention positioned within the barrel; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the snap ring and the spoon in the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a small number of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative relationship between components in a particular posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the position relationship, movement situation, etc. change, the directional indication will change accordingly.

In addition, the descriptions related to “first,” “second,” etc. in the present invention are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with “first” and “second” can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on what can be achieved by a person of ordinary skill in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be achieved, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist, and it is not within the protection scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a first embodiment of a device for positioning within the mouth of a bottle body 1 of a barrel (or bottle) 100 for the purpose of hanging a spoon 3 is disclosed. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a device built into the mouth of the bottle body 1 of the barrel 100 for hanging a spoon 3, used for dispensing materials contained within the barrel 100. The barrel 100 is a conventional barrel 100 and may take a variety of forms without departing form the spirit of the present invention. The barrel 100 generally includes a bottle body 1 having a closed first end 11 defining a bottom wall 12 of the barrel 100 and an open second end 13 defining the bottle mouth 2. A cap 9 is provided for selective attachment over the bottle mouth 2 to provide for selective closure of the open second end 13 in a manner protecting the contents of the barrel 100. In accordance with the disclosed embodiment, the cap 9 is selectively secured to the bottle mouth 2 via a threaded engagement structure. As such, the outer surface 22 of the bottle body 1 at the open second end 13 of the bottle body 1 is provided with external threading 15 shaped and dimensioned for engagement with internal threading (not shown) formed along the inner surface of the downwardly extending walls 91 of the cap 9. While a cap structure is disclosed herein in accordance with a disclosed embodiment, it is appreciated the cap structure may be varied as desired without departing form the spirit of the present invention.

The bottle mouth 2 is defined by a circumferential wall 21 formed at the second end 13 of the bottle body 1. The circumferential wall 21, as briefly discussed above, includes an outer surface 22 and an inner surface 23. In addition to the external threading 15 formed along the outer surface 22, the circumferential wall 21 of the bottle mouth 2 is provided with a ring-shaped groove 6, the concavity of which is formed along the inner surface 23 at the bottle mouth 2 of the bottle body 1.

The device includes a hanging mechanism for a spoon 3. The hanging mechanism is composed of a groove 6, formed along the inner surface 22 at the bottle mouth 2 of the bottle body 1, and a snap ring 5.

The snap ring 5 is provided with an adjustable inner diameter. The snap ring 5 includes an inner surface 51, an outer surface 52, a top surface 53, and a bottom surface 54. Although the snap ring 5 is structured with a circular shape, the snap ring 5 includes first and second ends 55, 56 that are selectively coupled and released so as to allow for adjustment of the inner diameter defined by the snap ring 5. In practice, and as will be appreciated based upon the following disclosure, the snap ring 5 is shaped and dimensioned to snuggly fit within the groove 6 in a manner such that the snap ring 5 is securely held within the groove 6.

A hook 4 is fixed on the inner surface of the snap ring 5 such that the hook 4 faces away from the inner surface 23 of the circumferential wall 21 defining the bottle mouth 2. In accordance with a disclosed embodiment, the hook 4 is positioned along the snap ring 5 such that it is diametrically opposed to the point at which the first and second ends 55, 56 of the snap ring 5 come into contact for selective coupling.

The hook 4 is shaped and dimensioned to support a spoon 3. This is achieved by providing the handle 32 of the spoon 3 with a through hole 31 through which the hook 4 passes when one desires to hang the spoon 3 from the hook 4. With this in mind, the hook 4 is oriented such that the free end thereof faces upwardly so that gravity will generally retain the handle 32 of the spoon 3 on the hook 4 when the spoon 3 is secured thereto. The spoon 3 is hung on the hook 4 by passing the hook through the through hole 31, so that the spoon 3 hangs at the bottle mouth 2 of the barrel 100 by a hanging mechanism. When using milk powder, it is convenient for the user to find the spoon 3 quickly.

In this embodiment, the snap ring 5 can be made of elastic plastic or non-toxic metal material exhibiting spring like characteristics allowing for size adjustment as described herein. As briefly mentioned above, the snap ring 5 is provided with an elastic adjustment opening structure that allows for the first and second ends of the snap ring 5 to be selectively connected and adjusted to control the diameter of the snap ring 5 and ensure a snug fit of the snap ring 5 within the groove 6. That is, the snap ring 5 has an open ring structure, and the snap ring 5 is installed in the groove 6. As such, the snap ring 5 can be compressed according to the specifications of the barrel 100, so that the snap ring 5 is flexibly clamped with the snap projection 7 and the snap grooves 8.

According to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and to improve the stability of the snap ring 5, the lower edge 61 of the groove 6 extends inwardly further than the upper edge 62 thereof; that is the diameter of the groove 6 at the lower edge 61 is smaller than the diameter of the groove 6 at the upper edge 62. This creates a ledge structure so that the contact area between the lower edge 61 (under the groove 6) of bottle mouth 2 and the snap ring 5 is larger than the contact area between the upper edge 62 (above the groove 6) of bottle mouth 2 and the snap ring 5, which further restricts the position of snap ring 5 within the groove 6 and ensures secured positioning of the snap ring 5 within the groove 6.

As shown in FIG. 5, and as briefly mentioned above, in order to install the snap ring 5 more conveniently the snap ring 5 is provided with an elastic adjustment opening structure that allows for the first and second ends of the snap ring 5 to be selectively connected and adjusted so as to control the diameter of the snap ring 5. In accordance with the disclosed embodiment, the first end 55 of the snap ring 5 is provided with a plurality of snap grooves 8 along the length direction. Each of the snap grooves 8 is in the shape of a round hole, and the snap grooves 8 are in communication with each other along the length of the snap ring 5 at the first end 55 thereof. The second end 56 of the snap ring 5 is provided with a snap projection 7 matched with the snap grooves 8 for selective engagement with one of the snap grooves 8. One end of the snap projection 7 is an arc surface, which plays a guiding role and facilitates entry of the snap projection 7 into a snap groove 8. When the snap projection 7 is inserted into a snap groove 8, the snap ring 5 is connected end to end to form a closed ring, which prevents the snap ring 5 from opening under stress, so that the snap ring 5 can be placed in the groove 6 more easily.

To ensure the integrity of the snap ring 5, both the first and second ends of the snap ring 5 are of thin-walled structure, and both sides of the thin walls are smooth arc surfaces. When the snap projection 7 is inserted into the snap groove 8, both ends of the snap ring 5 are arranged so as to matingly fit together in a manner closing the circle defined by the snap ring 5.

In accordance with this disclosed embodiment, the hook 4 is L-shaped, and its diameter is the same everywhere. As previously mentioned, the handle 32 of the spoon 3 is provided with a through hole 31. The through hole 31 is a double-hole structure in the shape of an “8”. The inner diameters of the two holes 31 a, 31 b are different, wherein the smaller hole 31 a is positioned distal of the scoop 33 of the spoon 3 (that is, the smaller hole is positioned closer to the free end of the handle 32 of the spoon 3 and the larger hole 31 b is positioned close to the scoop 33 of the spoon 3). The diameter of the smaller hole 31 a is slightly larger than the diameter of the hook 4 and is, therefore, adapted for secured engagement with the hook 4. The hook 4 first passes through the larger hole 31 b of the through hole 31 in the handle 32 until the handle 32 of the spoon 3 is released and vertically arranged, whereby gravity draws the hook 4 from the larger 31 b and into the smaller hole 31 a. In this position the spoon 3 is suspended in the middle of the snap ring 5, and the length of the handle 32 of the spoon 3 is short, which reduces the depth of the spoon 3 inserted into the milk powder, thereby reducing the possibility of product contamination.

In actual packaging, it is necessary to adjust the size of the snap ring 5 according to the specifications of the barrel 100. This is achieved by putting the snap projection 7 into a corresponding snap groove 8 that sets the snap ring 5 at a diameter allowing for a snug fit of the snap ring 5 within the groove 6; that is, the snap projection 7 and the snap grooves 8 allow for the first and second ends 55, 56 of the snap ring 5 to be selectively connected and adjusted so as to control the diameter of the snap ring 5. The snap ring 5 is then inserted into the groove 6 to support and limit the snap ring 5 and the spoon 3 is hung on the hook 4. When the milk powder needs to be taken, the user can see the spoon 3 after opening the bottle cap, directly pull out the spoon 3 from the bottle mouth 2, and then scoop out the milk powder.

A second embodiment is shown with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In this embodiment, except for the shape of the spoon 3, the snap ring 5, the hook 4, and the way in which the spoon 3 and the hook 4 are connected, the other structural elements are the same as those described above with reference to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

According to the embodiment disclosed with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the snap ring 5 is provided with an open ring structure with an elastic adjustment port. As with the prior embodiment, the snap ring 5 includes an inner surface 51, an outer surface 52, a top surface 53, and a bottom surface 54. In practice, and as with the prior embodiment, the snap ring 5 is shaped and dimensioned to snuggly fit within the groove 6 in a manner such that the snap ring 5 is securely held within the groove 6. A hook 4 is fixed on the inner surface 51 off the snap ring 5 such that the hook 4 faces away from the inner wall of the circumferential wall 21 defining the bottle mouth 2. In accordance with a disclosed embodiment, the hook 4 is positioned along the snap ring 5 such that it is diametrically opposed to the point at which the first and second ends 55, 56 of the snap ring 5 face each other to define the elastic adjustment port.

The hook 4 is L-shaped and its diameter gradually decreases as it extends in the direction away from the snap ring 5. The handle 32 of the spoon 3 is arranged horizontally, and the handle 32 is provided with a through hole 31. The through hole 31 is circular. The free end of the hook 4 passes within the through hole 31 until the diameter of the through hole 31 matches the diameter of the hook 4 and the hook 4 is effectively clamped with the spoon 3, so that the spoon 3 is horizontally suspended in the middle of the snap ring 5. The depth of the spoon 3 inserted into the milk powder is further reduced, thereby reducing the possibility of product contamination.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above. It should be understood that those of ordinary skill in the art can make many modifications and changes according to the concept of the present invention without creative work. Therefore, any technical solution that can be obtained by a person skilled in the art through logical analysis, reasoning or limited experiments based on the concept of the present invention on the basis of the prior art should fall within the protection scope determined by the claims.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

100. Barrel

1. Bottle body

2. Bottle mouth

3. Spoon

31. Through hole

31 a. Smaller hole

31 b. Larger hole

4. Hook

5. Snap ring

6. Groove

7. Snap projection

8. Snap grooves

9. Cap

11. Closed first end

12. Bottom wall

13. Open second end

15. External threading

21. Circumferential wall

22. Outer surface

23. Inner surface

32. Handle

33. Scoop

51. Inner surface of snap ring

52. Outer surface of snap ring

53. Top surface of snap ring

54. Bottom surface of snap ring

55. First end of snap ring

56. Second end of snap ring

61. Lower edge

62. Upper edge 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, for positioning within a bottle mouth of a bottle body, for hanging a spoon therefrom, wherein the bottle body includes a closed first end and an open second end defining the bottle mouth, bottle mouth being defined by a circumferential wall formed at the second end of the bottle body, the circumferential wall including a groove formed along an internal surface thereof, comprising: a snap ring shaped and dimensioned for positioning within the groove, the snap ring includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, as well as first and second ends allowing for adjustment in the inner diameter defined by the snap ring, a hook is fixed on the inner surface of the snap ring such that the hook faces away from the inner wall of the circumferential wall defining the bottle mouth.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hook is positioned along the snap ring such that it is diametrically opposed to the first and second ends of the snap ring.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the spoon includes a through hole within which the hook passes when one desires to hang the spoon from the hook.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second ends of the snap ring are selectively coupled and released to allow for adjustment in the inner diameter defined by the snap ring.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the groove of the circumferential wall is ring-shaped.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the snap ring is made of elastic plastic or non-toxic metal material.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the lower edge of the groove extends inwardly further than the upper edge thereof
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the snap ring is provided with a plurality of snap grooves and the second end of the snap ring is provided with a snap projection matched with the plurality of snap grooves for selective engagement with one of the plurality of snap grooves.
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the through hole of the spoon has a double-hole structure.
 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hook has a diameter that gradually decreases as it extends in the direction away from the snap ring such that the hook is effectively clamped with the spoon, so that the spoon is horizontally suspended in the middle of the snap ring.
 11. A device for hanging a spoon therefrom, comprising: a bottle body including a closed first end and an open second end defining the bottle mouth, the bottle mouth being defined by a circumferential wall formed at the second end of the bottle body, the circumferential wall including a groove formed along an internal surface thereof; a snap ring shaped and dimensioned for positioning within the groove, the snap ring includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, as well as first and second ends allowing for adjustment in the inner diameter defined by the snap ring, a hook is fixed on the inner surface off the snap ring such that the hook faces away from the inner wall of the circumferential wall defining the bottle mouth.
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the hook is positioned along the snap ring such that it is diametrically opposed to the first and second ends of the snap ring.
 13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the spoon includes a through hole within which the hook passes when one desires to hang the spoon from the hook.
 14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the first and second ends of the snap ring are selectively coupled and released to allow for adjustment in the inner diameter defined by the snap ring.
 15. The device according to claim 11, wherein the groove of the circumferential wall is ring-shaped.
 16. The device according to claim 11, wherein the snap ring is made of elastic plastic or non-toxic metal material.
 17. The device according to claim 11, wherein the lower edge of the groove extends inwardly further than the upper edge thereof.
 18. The device according to claim 11, wherein the first end of the snap ring is provided with a plurality of snap grooves and the second end of the snap ring is provided with a snap projection matched with the plurality of snap grooves for selective engagement with one of the plurality of snap grooves.
 19. The device according to claim 11, wherein the through hole of the spoon has a double-hole structure.
 20. The device according to claim 11, wherein the hook has a diameter that gradually decreases as it extends in the direction away from the snap ring such that the hook is effectively clamped with the spoon, so that the spoon is horizontally suspended in the middle of the snap ring. 